Bendi Wok N' Bar- New Albany — Restaurant in Plain Township

As someone who travels for food and has dined at thousands of restaurants, I’m always searching for places that bring bold flavor and leave a lasting impression. Bendi Wok N’ Bar in New Albany has quickly become a spot I keep returning to—because of the food.

Let’s start with the highlight: the Panang curry. Having traveled to Thailand, I was excited to try it, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much it reminded me of the flavors I experienced overseas. It’s not completely traditional, but it’s rich, bold, and layered with flavor—close enough to bring back memories of my travels. I’ve also tried their Pad Thai, various curries, and other menu offerings, and I can say confidently that this kitchen brings complexity and creativity to the table. They understand flavor and deliver dishes that satisfy.

That said, the service and hospitality need improvement. The space itself is modern and inviting, but the overall guest experience could be so much better with a shift in leadership tone. The servers are okay—polite but not particularly engaged. What’s missing is that sense of genuine welcome and care that turns good restaurants into great ones.

However, the service and overall hospitality experience fall short of the same standard from the management. As someone who’s taken time to understand how restaurants work from both a customer and an operations standpoint, I’ve learned that pride doesn’t create loyalty—people do. There’s a sense here that maintaining the image or control is more important than connecting with guests. Unfortunately, that mindset doesn’t go far. Restaurants thrive when they make people feel at home, and that starts from the top down.

To be clear, this isn’t about rudeness—but about missed opportunities to create something truly special. If Bendi’s leadership focused more on the heart of hospitality—greeting guests with joy, building relationships, and creating memorable experiences—this place could easily become a standout destination in the area.

Final thoughts: Come for the food—it’s flavorful, thoughtful, and consistently good. But if the hospitality caught up to the quality of the cuisine, Bendi Wok N’ Bar wouldn’t just be a good restaurant… it would be...

If disappointment had a tasting menu, this place would be its flagship.

The evening began with a promising enough setting — low lights, a gentle hum of chatter — but it quickly spiraled into a culinary cautionary tale. The first act? A salad of limp, rotting lettuce that appeared to have skipped not only the wash station but perhaps even the concept of freshness entirely. We politely requested a replacement, expecting a correction. Instead, we were treated to a second helping of equally unwashed greens, as though the kitchen had doubled down on the offense for dramatic effect.

The mains fared no better. Sauces were slathered on with the subtlety of a toddler wielding finger paints, drowning any hope of balance or nuance. Salt was the star of every dish — not in a clever, seasoning-as-an-artform way, but in the panicked overcompensation of a kitchen trying to disguise the absence of real culinary culture or finesse.

If a restaurant’s goal is to leave an impression, this one succeeded. Unfortunately, the memory it leaves is of a palate assaulted, and a stomach unsettled.

One star — and that’s only because zero...

I will try their food again for what I ate and for the service I received for what I did not eat. The pork buns with pickled onions are very good and an exceptional small plate option that is also good for an app or sharing. My issue was with the lo mein. One thing that is really great about BWnB's online ordering is it tells you the main ingredients in everything. It gives you the option to add or subtract ingredients as desired. So if you want tofu with your pad thai you can add that as a protein. If you don't want bean sprouts you can select the option to remove them. My lo mein came with extra veg which might be lovely if I didn't hate the smell of fried bell peppers. I called the restaurant and they made it right and apologized. I understand mistakes do happen. It is becoming a rare occurrence to see ownership these days and I truly appreciate that. I will try them again for the buns and for the good service. I skipped the noodles on this trip but they've earned my repeat business for the service and...